Such was the severity of the pain piercing her head, she was rendered housebound for days at a time.

Though she tried various different treatments, nothing could ease the 44-year-old's discomfort.

That is, until she had an unusual ear piercing.

Ms Utecht, from Woodland, Washington, decided by chance to have a 'daith' piercing, for fun.

The piercing passes through the innermost piece of cartilage fold, close to the ear canal.

Since having the metal bar inserted, Ms Utecht claims her migraines have completely disappeared, as has the nausea that would accompany each excruciating headache.

Sheri Utecht, 44, claims she has been cured of her severe migraines after having a 'daith' ear piercing, right. She said: 'It sounds crazy and I couldn't quite believe it at first, but I read up on it afterwards and apparently this piercing really can help with headaches'

She said the piercing has almost cured her of all her pain.

'Since I had the piercing done, I've had virtually no pain in my head, which was almost constant before,' she said.

'It sounds crazy and I couldn't quite believe it at first but I read up on it afterwards and apparently this piercing really can help with headaches.'

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The theory goes that 'daith' piercings relieve migraines, in a similar way to how acupuncture is used to help ease symptoms.

Acupuncture, a therapy which began in China more than 2,000 years ago, involves placing fine needles at specific pressure points on the body's surface.

The needles are then manipulated by a acupuncturist, either manually or electrically.

It causes the blood vessels around the needle to open up and become wider, allowing for an increase in blood flow to the tissues in the immediate area.

Since I had the piercing done, I've had virtually no pain in my head, which was almost constant before. It sounds crazy and I couldn't quite believe it at first but I read up on it afterwards and apparently this piercing really can help with headaches

Sheri Utecht, 44

Migraines are deemed a primary headache, one not caused by another medical condition, and usually occur on one side of the head.

A report published in 2012 in the Archives of Internal Medicine analysed nearly 18,000 patients and doctors from eight universities and hospitals in the UK, US and Germany.

The results showed in conditions including chronic headache, acupuncture was twice as effective as the drugs and exercise recommended by most doctors.